Workshops

Shooting on “M” to Maximize Creativity

All of the greatest photographers use their camera on the Manual setting. The reason is simple – Shooting on Manual allows you to capture images the same way you see them.

Joe Fischer will show you how to instantly assess a shooting condition and setup your camera in a matter of seconds on the Manual setting. Anything longer and you could miss the shot. From there you can add effects and experiment, and in no time you’ll be shooting like a pro.

In this workshop you’ll learn how to:

Quickly evaluate your shooting condition

Assess ambient light

Determine your desired Aperture

Set the proper Shutter Speed and ISO

Use the focus system for artistic expression

Differentiate between RAW and compressed images

Avoid using Auto or Priority modes

This workshop provides the core concepts required for intermediate and advanced photography and capturing difficult shots. These are concepts many photographers never adequately learned or practiced under guided instruction, but are required to take your shooting to next level. The concepts apply to all photos, including landscapes, weddings, wildlife, sports and action, low-light and even exciting night sky images with light painting.

Night Photography and Light Painting Workshop

Some of the most exciting images are taken at night. Joe Fischer will show you how to combine night photography with light painting so you can capture the heavens with unique items of interest.

This workshop will take place near Sacramento at a place that is perfect for learning with great night shooting conditions. You’ll learn how to setup a composition just before sunset. Then we’ll create images with stars or the Milky Way Galaxy while light painting unique items of interest. The techniques you’ll learn include how to:

Use the night sky to create astonishing images

Plan your shots with software so you can save time and pre-plan great compositions

Adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for night shooting

Focus the lens in complete darkness

Use a Pixel Stick for creating unique and colorful night images

Techniques for light painting objects

Combine light painting with a night sky composition to capture the beauty of both elements

Star Trails and Milky Way Galaxy in Tahoe National Forest

Some of the most exciting images are taken at night. Joe Fischer will show you how to capture brilliant photos of the Milky Way Galaxy and combine them with scenic landscapes or unique items of interest.

Our plan for the evening will be to capture star trails and images of the Milky Way galaxy reflecting off a remote mountain lake. Depending on our compositions, we may do light painting too.

The workshop will take place in the dark skies near Lake Tahoe about 1 or 2 hours from Sacramento. You’ll receive instruction and learn how to setup a composition before nightfall. Then we’ll start creating images at sunset and keep shooting as late as people would like. In this workshop you’ll learn how to:

Combine the night sky with landscapes to create astonishing images

Plan your shots with software to save time and pre-plan compositions

Adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for night shooting

Focus the lens in complete darkness

Use an intervalometer or manually create star trails

Accommodations

Most participants will return to Sacramento after the workshop. Participants can also make their own arrangements near Donner Lake or Lake Tahoe.